DWI in Texas

The general consensus is that it’s illegal to drink and drive. Yet is it really? You’ve probably heard the number .08 thrown out there as the blood-alcohol content limit to determine if you’re legally drunk. That seems to suggest that driving with a BAC lower than that is acceptable. You may be both correct and incorrect in that assumption. In fact, many of Texas’ DWI laws may require clarification.

When Are You Drunk?

What about the .08 limit? That is the measurement used to determine if an adult non-commercial driver is drunk. If you have a commercial drivers’ license, your BAC need only be in excess of .04 to be charged with DWI whether you’re stopped driving a commercial vehicle or not. What if you’re a minor? If you register any reading above 0 on a BAC test, your license could be revoked.

How Do You Get Drunk?

How do you arrive at a BAC concentration of .08? Most experts agree that two to three drinks an hour will raise your BAC to that level. Factors such as your weight, height, sex, and the drinks you’re consuming influence how fast your BAC rises. Interestingly, a single drink an hour may not get you drunk, which means you could legally be able to drive after drinking a smaller amount.

Can You Legally Drink and Drive?

Of course, many may question why take the chance. Even if you feel completely in control of all your faculties, the law may disagree. Any Cleburne DWI lawyer can tell you that the potential penalties that accompany such a charge can be extensive. Consider instead selecting a member of your group to be the designated driver, or calling a taxi or an Uber to come pick you up.

Do You Have to Submit to Testing?

If you do happen to be stopped for suspicion of DWI, understand that the state’s implied consent laws compel you to submit to chemical BAC testing. What does that mean? A breathalyzer test, for example, is actually considered a preliminary alcohol screening, so by law, you technically don’t have to take it. If you are arrested, however, you must comply to chemical testing of your blood, breath, or urine.